Types of credentials

Doctoral Degrees (Doctorate / Ph.D.)

A graduate degree offered by universities that is one level higher than a master's degree and normally requires a minimum of two to three years of full-time study.

Master's Degrees

A graduate degree offered by universities. It normally follows an undergraduate degree and takes one to two years of full-time study.

Bachelor's Degrees

An undergraduate degree offered by universities, normally requiring three or four years of full-time study.

Applied Master's Degrees

A graduate degree offered by postsecondary institutions that normally follows an undergraduate degree and requires one or two years of full-time study. Applied masters degrees focus on both theory and applied skills, and include content relevant to an advanced level of expertise in a recognized occupational sector or profession. The main distinction between an academic master's degree and a master's degree with an applied focus, is the inclusion of practice-based elements and less emphasis on research in the latter.

Applied (Bachelor's) Degrees

A degree offered by postsecondary institutions normally requiring four years of full-time study. Degrees are primarily in technology fields, emphasize technical applications, and frequently involve fieldwork or practical training.

Associate Degree

An undergraduate degree offered by colleges and university colleges, normally requiring two years of full-time study.

University Certificate/Diploma

Credential awarded upon completion of an approved program of study, usually less than four semesters' duration, at the undergraduate level. Advanced graduate diplomas are intended to recognize the completion of specified courses at the graduate level offered to meet the ongoing educational needs of professionals.

College Diploma

Credential awarded upon the successful completion of a program of postsecondary academic and/or vocational training and education, usually requiring two years of full-time study.

College Certificate

Document attesting to the successful completion of an educational or vocational course or program, normally requiring up to two years of study after secondary school.

Attestation of college studies (AEC)

Document attesting to the successful completion of a vocational or technical program of variable length developed by an educational institution with the authorization of the Quebec Ministry of Education